It was a heady sensation, especially mixed with such hot kisses that seemed to never end. It wasn’t until his hand cupped her breast that reality struck.
Rhi gripped his wrist to halt him.
Balladyn lifted his head and looked down at her. “Tell me you’ve not thought of this.”
Since she couldn’t lie, she didn’t respond.
“They why stop me? We were meant to share our bodies.”
Kissing was one thing, but Rhi couldn’t let another touch her as he had done.
Balladyn grew angry, his face hardening. “It always comes back to him, doesn’t it, pet? He’s told you he doesn’t want you. He ignores you. When will you let it go?”
“I’m trying.”
“If I had kissed you before him, would you have let me love you?”
Rhi placed her hand on Balladyn’s cheek and looked into his red eyes. “I might have.”
“You’re strong, Rhi,” Balladyn said. “Let go of him and come to me.”
“I’m not Dark. I won’t ever be.”
Balladyn smiled softly. “You’ll realize who you really are soon enough. Until then, I’ll be waiting.”
The sun blinded her as Balladyn teleported away. Rhi rolled onto her side, hating the sting of tears as they fell hot on her cheeks. She should’ve been done crying for her lover. His soft promises and declarations made her lose centuries as she waited for him. How had he repaid her?
With contempt and disdain.
Another piece of her heart hardened against him.
And the darkness within her grew.
*
Darcy had a towel wrapped around her as she stood in the bathroom after taking the longest shower of her life. She wasn’t about to put her clothes back on again.
She combed out her hair as she looked around at the white bathroom that was accented with black. In the middle of the room, the white tiles on the floor were dressed up with an outline of a rectangle with smaller black tiles.
Curious, Darcy walked into the bedroom and got her first look at it since she’d been too interested in a bath when she first entered.
The bathroom colors were carried over into the bedroom, except in reverse. The metal bed frame was black, as were the two bedside tables, though each table was a different style.
The comforter was a black on black paisley design with a small white stripe along the outside edge. Three pillows—one small white fur one, one small white satin, and a large black and white polka dot one—were on the bed. A black and gray shag rug covered most of the wood floors. Also in the room was a black armoire and a white and black armchair.
Darcy sat in the chair and looked out the window to the pasture where Highland cattle grazed. The sky was clear except for an occasional puffy cloud that drifted lazily by.
All in all, she should be completely relaxed.
Except she was wound tighter than when she was in Edinburgh.
Her head swung around when someone rapped on her door. She glanced down at the towel about her as she got to her feet. Darcy checked to secure the towel and walked to the door.
She opened it to find a tall man with golden blond waves and cold black eyes. Con.
“You know who I am?” he asked.
She nodded. “I do.”
“Because you saw Ulrik’s memories?”
There was movement behind Con, and Darcy spotted Thorn. She returned her focus to Con. “I’m not exactly dressed for this.”
“There’s a robe in the bathroom. I suggest you put it on,” Con said as he pushed past her and strode into the room.
Darcy waited for Thorn to follow before she made her way to the bathroom and found the robe on the back of the door. She belted it tightly and returned to the bedroom. “How is Warrick?” she asked.
Thorn smiled. “He’s getting better.”
“Why did you help Ulrik?” Con demanded.
Darcy sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. “I’ve explained this to Warrick already, and to Lily. It was a challenge.”
“A challenge?” Con repeated, his voice as icy as the artic. “You helped a man known for evil and destruction. I’d think as a Druid that you would be more careful about who you helped.”
“I take exception to that,” she said and returned his glare. “I read people’s futures in their palms and through tarot cards. I couldn’t see Ulrik’s.”
Con stood rigidly by the window. “That’s your reasoning?”
“Of course not, but it made me curious. Not once have I not seen a person’s future. His request was interesting. He told me who and what he was. I knew attempting to help him was harmless. So, I tried it. I was knocked unconscious for a day.”
“Was he there when you came to?” Thorn asked as he sat in the chair.
Darcy shook her head. “Ulrik returned a week later. I tried again, and that time I was hit with his memories.”
“So I’ve been told,” Con said. “What were the memories?”
“I’d rather not say, but I suspect you won’t give up until I tell you. I saw him discover what you did to his woman. I felt the thundering of his multiple emotions. I saw him fighting the humans.”
“Is that all?” Con demanded.